Is the Alhambra overrated?
 

I've heard it's spectacular. I've heard it's the best thing about Spain. Is it really a must-see? What's the consensus?

We'll be arriving by cruise ship in Malaga in July. Seems like everyone always does the Alhambra. But it's pretty far for a daytrip & there will probably be a million people. I prefer something closer, less crowded, more relaxing. Am I crazy? Do you think I'll be missing out on something great?

We did it because it was 'the thing to do'. was it interesting, yes. would I do it again...NO. I guess I expected more. The gardens were nice, the palace seemed lacking.

I'm assuming your cruise ship offers this as an excursion, because this is not one of those places where one can just drop by and expect to get in.

The Michelin green guide gives the Alhambra 3 stars, but if you aren't in the habit of trusting Michelin, or Fodors, or similar guidebook, then this info is probably meaningless. In general, you can but read about places and then go and find out for yourself if your reaction matches the reviews. I'd trust your gut feeling, that you don't really want to do this - at least on this particular trip. You are right, it would be a long day.

<<Is it really a must-see?>>

Yes.

<< Do you think I'll be missing out on something great?>>

Yes. You could skip the cruise and head directly to the best sites in Andalucia instead.

Yes Virginia, the Alhambra is worth visiting.

cmt, ssteve,
Could you please expand your reply? I'm interested to know the highlights in more detail (from your own personal experiences, not me reading the guidebooks.) We usually prefer to get a more authentic feel of a new place, renting a car, stopping in small towns, eating in local restaurants, drinking the wine(!). This would be the first time we ever went with the crowd...

I think you'd be missing something great if you passed this by. It's a wonderful palace, very different from the usual palaces created by Christian kings, and I think July is a great time to visit it because you can get a real sense of what a welcome retreat it must have been for the Moors who used it as a cool escape from the heat of the Andalucian summer.

While I was in Granada the first time, I read Washington Irving's "Tales of the Alhambra," which--though it presented the Moors as all good and the Christians, especially the clergy, as all bad--gave me a pleasant feel for the place.

I think it's absolutely incredible and have been there 3 times (once at night) and would go again. However, everyone has different reactions to places, so I can't promise you'll be as moved by it (and all of Spain for that matter) as I am.

There are some sites worth seeing in Malaga too--the palace with the wonderful view of the coastline, the Museo Picasso, the Alcazar, and the Cathedral--if you're not interested in making the trip to Granada (which is only about l 1/2 hours from Malaga).

It is a great place, but I expected a little more. If I had a choice, I'd rather see Seville. I think it's one of the best cities. All Andalucia is incredible.

Hola

I thought the Alhambra was absolutely beautiful. The gardens alone were lovely. Book online at https://w3.grupobbva.com/ALHAMBRA/alhambra/home.html

It really depends on your interests and how much you really want to see it. It sounds like you're indifferent so I wouldn't bother with the hassle. Stay in Malaga and enjoy tapas and a cerveza.

Adios

i think unless you read up on its history. who lived there, what happened there, what it represents in spanish historical timeline.. why the different buildings.. and types of architecture.. what were certain areas used for.. then you might not get the real magical reaction..

like anywhere .

is it visually spectacular? parts of it. ..its setting.. and the mere vastness of it and the intricate water system is amazing.

It's wonderful. The gardens (google "generalife") are stunning, and the town is worth a vist. In short - GO!

The most spectacular thing about the Alhambra is the history about it. It was a Moorish Palace and fortification so you get to see the infrastructure, the gardens, some spectacularly decorated rooms, but you do have to use a lot of imagination as far as furnished rooms, etc... Personally, if I had a day in Malaga in July, I would head out to the White Towns in the mountains; Ronda, Mijas, etc. Unless you have advance tickets and pre-arranged transport I would think twice about heading out to the Alhambra from Malaga if you need to be back at a set time. Even though it is maybe a couple of hours trip, July is one hot, hot month so allow extra time for extra breaks.

lol930 - what you said about usually liking to do your own thing just stopping when the mood took you, and not knowing whether visiting somewhere in a "group" would suit - reading that I felt that what you were really asking yourselves was - should we go if we have to be non-independent.

That's a hard one - your time will be constrained by the coach (or plane, or whatever) departure time. You will perhaps be shepherded around.

I'd hate it. But if you don't think you will ever return to Spain then I'd go. Because Malaga is tourism writ large and not "Spanish" at all. To say the "Alhambra" is the best thing about Spain is crazy. The best thing about Spain is Spain, and being there and enjoying whatever it is that comes your way.

But you have a day. And the Alhambra is one of the great sites of the old world - for its history, its architecture, the amazing patterns of its decoration. You could spend ages there - I did, going back repeatedly to look again at things I had already "seen" before reluctantly moving on.

I do find it difficult to understand, though, that while the Alhambra is on the "must do list", the Mesquita in Cordoba somehow isn't.

The Mesquita is at least the equal of the Alhambra, though built for different reasons - and Cordoba is a much more interesting place to wander round than Granada unless you get yourself lost in the narrow streets of the Albaicín!

Hapy travels.

There was something in the back of my mind when I made my first post, but I wanted to find a specific example before relating it. Alas, the various tour companies that I follow have changed their on-line promotional blurbs, or I could give you one.

The thing is, the Nasrid Palace section of the Alhambra is generally considered the highlight by both experts and other travellers, but some tour companies apparently do not include this specific section of the complex in their visits. My guess is this is because this section requires pre-booking of a half-hour entry time 'window' and thus could pose problems for companies with very tight schedules - as indeed yours sounds to be.

You should try and find out if this is in fact the case for your cruise - it could make a lot of difference as to whether you think "wow" or "gee, it wasn't THAT great...".

We used a ship's excursion (Windstar) to see the Alhambra when we visited in early November 2005. I think it is definitely worth seeing, but also agree with the idea that you are shepherded around, probably won't have enough time to really 'see' the place (unless, you don't need to do more than a cursory inspection; I tend to really examine and absorb things that interest me and this would have been one of those things). I would love to go back on my own time and really do the place justice.

Our shore excursion included the bus trip (nice countryside), a quick bio-break at a service area (with food, drinks, souveniers, etc.) on the highway, the tour itself and lunch at a local hotel restaurant. We had very little time to do any shopping (I could have spent some serious money at one of the shops selling inlaid wooden objects). The tour guide was good, but it was a lot of 'here we are, this happened, hurry we need to move on', followed by 40 people juggling to get just the perfect shot in 2 minutes.

By the way, we had a late departure from Malaga so we had some time to wander around town when we got back to the ship after the tour. There was some interesting window-shopping in the area.

With planning ahead, you probably could do this on your own - rent a car in Malaga and drive there yourself, and therefor have more time to spend as you want. Tickets can be reserved online, I believe. With self-tours like this, though, you'd have to make sure you got back to the ship on time. On a ship's excursion, they'd hold the ship if there was a problem.

Thank you all for your wonderful replies. I have been agonizing over this for a while...

My husband needs his vacation to have 100% relaxation. I am the opposite, always on the go. We have compromised with a Windstar cruise, smaller ship, laid-back style. [GoAway, thanks for the details. I would love to hear about your other port stops.] Of course we will be exploring the port cities, but here again it will be in more of a leisurely manner.

After reading everything you have all posted, I'll take Sue xxyy's advice and go with my gut feeling. I think I will pass on it this time. Hubby's lack of enthusiasm will most probably impede my enjoyment. At any rate, I will most likely return there another year: I'll plan to spend a longer time there & will make sure I have read up on the historical details.

The Windstar cruise we were on went from Barcelona to Lisbon via Palma, Ibiza, Malaga, Tangiers and Portimao. Since it was close to the end of the tourist season, Palma, Ibiza and Portimao were pretty quiet. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask (a new thread is probably in order!)

Thanks, GoAway. We're going next summer on the Windsurf from Lisbon to Barcelona. I'll post a new thread on the cruise board in a little while. (BTW, we "spoke" on the thread about Tours for You. Glad that worked out.) I'm very interested in any of your suggestions about this cruise. TIA...

No - the Alhambra is not overrated. It's spectacular, incredible and well worth a day trip - as the remains of a very unique culture. Yes - it is a must see - if that's the sort of thing you enjoy.

But - if all you like is sitting on a beach with some drinks - you'll probably be bored stiff - and should just stay on the beach.